Grease is the word

Grease is the word in my technical feature this week!

src: giphy.com

Umm... No. Not the cheesy musical from the '70s but the stuff you use to lubricate all things 'automatic, systemati-' *ehem* I mean automotive, mechanical and industrial.

Now that's more like it! src: acme.com

Now, as the good folks at Granville always say, it's important to 'make the right choice' when it comes to motor oil but this is equally true when choosing the right grease for the job. But what's the difference between greases I hear you ask?

Well, just like motor oils, different formulations will have different properties based mainly on the type and viscosity of the base oil, and the type and concentration of thickening agent used in the manufacturing process. Your manufacturer's handbook should specify the type of grease you require. Usually this will be based on the additive type and will refer you to a 'National Lubricating Grease Institute' (NLGI) grade which ranges from 000 - 6. As a general rule, you will find the automotive greases will be NLGI grade 2, for example.

Granville Multi-Purpose Grease (0121)

But what happens if you decide the grease you're using isn't 'the one that you want?' There may be several reasons for you to consider changing the grease you are using on your machinery: cost, brand preference, new operating circumstances to consider such as environmental temperature and workload may all play a part in your decision - but it isn't one you should take lightly. Remember that, regardless of the application, grease should lubricate the part reducing friction and wear, and protect against corrosion, water and contaminants, and its effectiveness is subjective to the grease's properties vs. the application circumstances.

Should you decide to take the plunge and change your grease it is important to bear in mind that, due to the different properties, not all greases are compatible with each other. Compatibility refers to how two greases will behave when mixed together and how their properties will change as a result. If the two greases are compatible it may not be necessary to purge the system of the old grease beforehand, but even if you are using the same type of grease, two manufacturers might have different formulations and may have used different concentrations of thickening additives, which may affect how your machinery is lubricated.

Who's that handsome devil?

You will need to purge the system if the replacement grease you have selected is incompatible with the old one but remember that, because of the nature of grease, it can often be quite difficult to ensure that all the product will be removed from the part so it is recommended that you take extra care when deciding to replace the lubricant in this instance.

You don't want things too slippery! src: tumblr.com

It is also important not to over-lubricate either so go easy when testing out how much of the new grease is suitable for the job at hand.

Remember: using the wrong grease or mixing incompatible greases can damage your machinery. If in doubt, seek advice before you make the decision. The Tech Advise team at Granville are 'hopelessly devoted' to making sure you have all the necessary information about their products so you can make an informed decision - give them a call if you have any questions regarding their range of greases.